Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Better Choices are Better for Me!

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Jimmy Dean, however the opinions and feelings expressed here are my own

As part of making much needed lifestyle changes in my own life, many of my readers know that I've kicked off my "Weight and See" journey...my goal of losing 250lbs. I'm almost 70lbs down and moving forward. So much of this journey involves making better choices in the foods I eat. For me this can be a bit frustrating as I don't have a lot of time in the morning to prepare a hearty breakfast that includes everything I need in order to fuel the busiest part of my day. I don't like milk, so eating cereal becomes an exercise in waste because I end up tossing the left over milk. This also leaves me seriously lacking in my protein goals for the day. Early morning is usually when I try and get in the most intense of my workouts for the day which includes aerobics, swimming and usually more than 35 minutes spent on the elliptical machine. I really need my morning meal to not only be tasty, but easy to prepare, nutritionally balanced and filling!

As we move towards the new year, I want to seriously kick up and intensify all of the changes I'm making...permanent lifestyle changes that will lead not only to a thinner, healthier me, but a happier me, in every aspect of my life. Spending more time working out, getting out of the house with my five year old daughter and truly enjoying my life! Spending an inordinate amount of time fixing breakfast and then trying to figure out how many calories are in it and whether or not I've met my protein goal (protein is vitally important as it aides in the production and repair of muscle...muscle which is sometimes stressed or even damaged during intense workouts. If you aren't getting adequate protein in your diet, your body may use it's protein stores as fuel rather than for building and repairing muscle.), is more than I have time for.

Trying to balance my time and nutritional needs has been stressful to say the least. Come on moms out there...we all know that the mornings are sometimes the most stressful part of our day! We've got little ones - or even not so little ones - that demand our time, we're trying to get them ready for the day and off to school, get ourselves ready to face the day. That's just one of the reasons I was so excited when I found Jimmy Dean D-Lights breakfast sandwiches and breakfast bowls!

I can get everything I need for under 300 calories whether it's a Turkey Bacon Bowl or a Turkey Sausage Reduced Fat Croissant - my personal favorite. I can pop the sandwich in the microwave and in less than two minutes I have 17 grams or protein in a really yummy sandwich that only has 290 calories. I usually have 8 ounces of fresh squeezed orange juice (110 calories - such a treat for me, but I love it!) and 5 small strawberries, for a total of under 500 calories! Most important, I haven't spent the better part an hour cooking or preparing something that would give me the same protein packed breakfast and be something I enjoy and don't end up pouring down the drain. Oh and did I mention it's really yummy? I love turkey sausage and I've been using Jimmy Dean's turkey sausage products for the last year. Regular sausage is not only filled with fat, but to me, it can be too highly seasoned and too salty! I don't find that to be the case with Jimmy Dean's turkey sausage products. Lower fat, full of protein and tasty all equal better for me!

Choices...real meaningful choices that lead to permanent change in order to live a healthier more enjoyable life that balances my need for time and nutrition, doesn't have to be difficult. I was so happy to find the Jimmy Dean Breakfast D-Lights. It's a good choice for me that fits in so well with my ultimate goal of a healthier, balanced and enjoyable life!

What sort of better choices are you making for yourself this year that will lead to a happier you in the New Year? I'd love to hear what you're going to be doing! Leave me a comment telling me how you're incorporating better choices and you'll automatically be entered into a contest to win a $100 gift card! This giveaway runs from 12/28/2010 to 1/30/2011. Good luck!

Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

345 comments:

My better choice is to start the couch to 5K program in March/April. I've been wanting to do this for so long and have been putting it off for too long. I may be a thin person, but I want to get healthy. I'm also going to eat better. More fruits and vegges and less take out.

I look forward to bettering myself in the coming year. Not only will I lose weight for myself I will also be a better role model for my two kids. That is the best I can wish for in the new years.Thanks,Scott MartinSpmartin122@gmail.com

This year I'm choosing to use my time better. I'm going better myself by making my life and time more efficient. I'm going to strive to be purposeful with my energy and resources. Thanks for the giveaway!

I need to add some form of regular exercise to my life – the kind I can maintain. I live on the beach, so I’m thinking walking the path along the shore for 30 minutes 5 days a week would be enjoyable and manageable.adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

A better choice for me in 2011, would to be more selective about my time, like walking in the morning instead of sitting on the couch watching the news before I shove off to work. Or, walking while listening to the news on the radio could accomplish both. :-)

I have a routine of walking on the treadmill during my tv watching time. there aren't too many shows i like to watch though, so i need to find a way to increase my tv watching. ;) i need to be more regular about getting on the treadmill.

I've been working out and eating well for the last year, but I think it's time to up the intensity on my workouts! I'll add some more advanced DVDs to my collection and try to push it to 45-60 minutes as often as possible, instead of 20-30 minutes.

I'm going to tackle 2011 head on! Eating better, taking my vitamins and taking care of myself spiritually since I'm a new Christian. I'm just now learning the Bible and growing in Christ. Spiritual health is very important

This may seem counter-intuitive, but my plan for a healthier new year is to eat chocolate everyday. Why? Because last year, I tried to limit my beloved chocolate to Saturdays only. So then by the time Saturday rolled around, I'd buy two chocolate bars. You know, because I TOTALLY deserved it. For the past month, I've been having a little piece every night after dinner instead and I don't feel the need to splurge like that anymore. So I am definitely carrying this into the new year!

I recently lost my job which in turn gave me the opportunity to travel the US in a travel trailer with my husband for his job. I will be cooking healthy for both us every night instead of (as in the past) running out and get fast food instead of cooking for one.

I have got the exercising thing down and do some form of exercise at least 5 days a week. I really need to be more mindful of what I am sticking in my mouth and plan on making changes in my diet that include eating more fruit and non-fat yogurt. Thanks!

My plan for 2011 is to "do what matters most". That means I will put my time and energy toward the things I care most about, which includes keeping in touch with the people I love, making our home a more orderly place (which will make my sweetheart very happy), and finding time to quilt--when I take time to be creative, I am a more content, happier person to be around.

Later this week I'm having surgery, and I've vowed to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS of my physical therapist. When it comes to exercise, I usually do it my way, which is sporadic. Now more than ever it's important for me to rebuild strength and stamina.

I'm going to be getting back in shape after my 2nd baby (due any day now!!!). I plan to focus on incorporating whole foods and gradually increasing to a more intense workout routine. I would love to do a race or some other fitness event before the end of the year.

I have resolved to actually eat breakfast in the morning. Usually I just run out of the house and don’t even think about it. So by mid-morning, I am starving and I have to go the vending machine to get something to snack on. So by eating a healthy breakfast every day, I should be able to curb all of the snacking that I do.

Our local Y opens later this month and we plan to spend as much time as possible there. I'm tired of being exhausted all the time. I want to feel better and this is going to help me accomplish that. Thank you!!

i am making sure i eat veggies with at least 2 meals..i can't just rely on vitamins anymore and i also am going to work to improve my good cholesterol level..i need to work on my health in 2011nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

I'm doing two big things this year, only one of which was a resolution. For my health, I am reducing the amount of sugary foods I eat. I eat way too much chocolate etc and it needs to stop. So far this year, so good! The other thing I am doing for myself is more mental - being nicer. I am trying to only say nice things and to not argue with people. That is also going well. Thanks! sbcashortie at hotmail dot com

My better start is discovering myfitnesspal.com - I am using to track my calories ( have done WW before), staying away from the sweets - which is taking all of my will power and will be hitting the elliptical once it arrives. Really just trying to find ways to work around cravings and my bad habit of stress eating!! Lots of gum chewing

I making the choice to eat out less. I noticed how much I was spending on eating out and how often I was doing it so I've been making an effort to bring lunch to work, and to eat breakfast so I buy less snacks from the vending machine ;) = healthier me = happier me!

Also I am going to enroll of specialty fashion design courses to pick some more skills :)

I've decided that every year I'm going to learn something new. I always felt weird that I didn't know how to swim so this year I signed up for swimming lessons at our local community college. Not only will I learn a new skill, I'm hoping to get healthier with some much-needed exercise.

Classes start in February and I'm planning on being a "Navy Seal" by summer!

I am bringing an apple or yogurt with me to work for breakfast every day so I don't snack in the morning. I am also slowly adding in some jogging to my daily long walks and I'm loving it! Thanks.pjgirl74 at aol dot com

I am getting back on the exercise bandwagon. I let the holidays be my excuse from November to New Year's. I take the dog on a 45 minute walk every day and hit the gym 4x a week for cardio and weights. My goal is to lose 30lbs by summer.

I plan to eliminate some carbs ( I eat a lot yikes!) and introduce more protein into my nutritional meal plan, to exercise at least three times a week (just signed up for zumba) and to get more sleep (at least 7 hours 5 times week!)